Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada joins effort to provide tax help

Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, D-Solano, and the Yolo County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Coalition are hosting a free tax assistance workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the New Harmony Mutual Housing -- Community Center, 3030 Cowell Blvd. in Davis.

Appointments are required. To RSVP or for more information, call (530) 746-8042.

Families earning up to $50,270 from wages or self-employment are eligible for free tax preparation assistance and may receive a maximum of $5,891 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Many people who haven't qualified in the past for the EITC may qualify this year because of a change in marital status, the addition of children or changes in their income, but eligible workers must specifically claim the EITC on their federal income tax returns in order to receive the credit.

"We're pleased to help working families claim every possible tax credit," Yamada said. "I encourage those who qualify to make an appointment as soon as possible."

The Yolo County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Coalition is a partnership of the Yolo Family Resource Center, the Yolo County Children's Alliance, the Yolo County Department of Employment and Social Services, the Davis Students for VITA of UC Davis, the Rural Innovation for Social Economics Inc., and the IRS.